PNP seeks public help in catching those behind deadly New Year’s Eve blast in Cotabato City

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is calling on the public at large to help authorities catch the perpetrators behind the New Year’s Eve blast in Cotabato City.

Two persons died in the incident and 32 others—including children—were injured, when an improvised explosive device went off at the entrance of South Seas mall near stalls selling firecrackers in Cotabato City Monday afternoon.

The PNP’s initial suspects were the extremist group Daula Islamiyah and other local terrorist groups.

“Bukod sa pag-iigting ng efforts ng ating security forces, kailangan rin natin paigtingin ang cooperation ng public in helping us ... in providing us information so we can prevent other attacks which will spoil peace and order in Mindanao,” PNP spokesperson Benigno Durana said in an interview on GMA News’ “News To Go.”

The PNP official was asked if security in Mindanao still needs beefing up as the explosion happened in a thickly populated area despite martial law.

“While police work is important, we can't guard every inch of the land in Mindanao,” Durana noted.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal is also asking the public at large to be vigilant in securing communities from falling prey to similar incidents.

“We urge all peace-loving citizens in Cotabato City to be very vigilant and report to the authorities any suspicious individuals or packages to avert a similar incident from happening. The people’s cooperation will add strength to government forces designated to facilitate the security of our communities,” Madrigal said in a separate statement.

‘Martial law is helpful’

When martial law is in effect, authorities can arrest and detain those suspected of committing rebellion and other crimes without a warrant for three days, provided that they will be charged within the prescribed period. Otherwise, they must be released.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in May 2017 to stop the Maute group from taking over Marawi City and establishing a caliphate in the capital of in Lanao del Sur.

Congress has since extended martial law until end-2019.

In the same interview on News To Go, Durana was asked how the attacker was able to pull off the terror act in a crowded place under martial law.

Durana did not tackle the question directly. “There could have been more attacks if the martial law was not implemented. The imposition of martial law is very helpful in preventing other possible attacks,” he replied instead.

He vowed to give the victims the justice they deserve.

“We will go double, triple on our efforts, set up checkpoints, implement police visibility, conduct intelligence operation to look for groups who may have the intention to carry out this cowardly attack,” he said. —VDS, GMA News